Quick Start
Start With the Short Overview
In about two minutes, you’ll see what we’re creating, how authors can participate, and what happens next. If it feels like a good fit, complete the interest form. If you still have questions, keep reading for all the details.
Captions will be included so you can watch with or without sound.
Need a little more information? Keep scrolling for placement options, promotional details, important dates, and FAQs.
From Interest to Publication
How Participation Works
The interest form begins the process. Once your participation is confirmed, you’ll receive clear instructions for everything that comes next.
Submit Your Interest
Tell me about your book, the placement you’re considering, and whether you’d like to be considered for either optional November event.
Receive Your Confirmation
Kids Book Hub will review your response and send your placement confirmation, payment information when applicable, and the materials needed for your feature.
Submit, Review & Share
Provide your final materials, review your feature before publication, and receive the live Gift Guide link and promotional toolkit to share with your readers.
Next: Compare the placement options and choose the amount of space that best fits your book.
Find the Right Fit
Choose How You Want to Show Up
Every participating author can receive a complimentary listing. Upgraded placements give you more room to catch a reader’s attention, build a connection, present a special offer, or feature more than one product.
The complimentary listing helps your book appear in the guide. A paid placement gives you more opportunity to engage the families browsing it.
Complimentary 1/6 Page $0 Be Discovered A simple, professionally coordinated listing for one book and one direct purchase link. Designed by Kids Book Hub
Best for...
Authors who want additional holiday visibility for one book without developing a separate promotion or designing an advertisement.
Your listing includes
- One book cover
- Book title and author name
- One- to two-sentence description
- Recommended reader information
- One direct purchase link
- Coordinated layout created by Kids Book Hub
Keep it simple
Give readers one clear next step.
Feature your book at its regular retail price and send interested families directly to Amazon, your preferred retailer, or another purchase page.
“A warm story about friendship and belonging for ages 4–8. Available now on Amazon.”
A discount or special holiday offer is not required.
Most Flexible Option Quarter-Page Feature $25 Turn Discovery Into Connection More room for one book, one strong call to action, and an added reason for readers to engage. Designed by Kids Book Hub
Best for...
Authors who want more than a basic retail listing but do not want to design an advertisement themselves.
Your feature includes
- Larger book presentation
- Expanded description or offer
- Space for an added-value bonus
- One primary call to action
- One clickable destination link
- Layout created by Kids Book Hub
Build a lasting connection
Give readers a reason to stay in touch.
Not every family will buy every book immediately—but a useful free resource can begin a relationship that continues long after the holidays.
“Join my reader list and download the free woodland activity pack inspired by the story.”
Why it matters: A newsletter signup today can become a book purchase, review, or returning reader later.
Half-Page Advertisement $45 Create a Complete Promotion More room for a series, bundle, gift set, signed-book offer, or book-inspired experience.
Best for...
Authors with a larger promotional idea who can provide a completed, polished advertisement.
Your placement includes
- Half a page inside the Gift Guide
- Space for a larger promotion
- One clickable destination link
- Placement and link setup by Kids Book Hub
- Inclusion in the shared promotion
- Eligibility for rolling publication
Build a complete experience
Turn several pieces into one giftable idea.
“Give the complete three-book adventure series—signed and bundled for holiday gifting.”
The author provides the finished advertisement. Kids Book Hub provides specifications, reviews the file, adds the clickable link, and publishes it inside the guide.
Full-Page Advertisement $75 Build a Mini Author Storefront Maximum room for multiple books, several gift options, or one premium holiday campaign.
Best for...
Established authors with several related products or a clear promotional concept that benefits from a complete page.
Your placement includes
- One complete Gift Guide page
- Maximum creative space
- Room for multiple products or offers
- One clickable destination link
- Placement and link setup by Kids Book Hub
- Eligibility for rolling publication
Show the bigger story
Create your own holiday bookshop window.
Direct families to one holiday shopping page where they can compare your options and choose the gift that best fits their reader.
The author provides the finished advertisement. Kids Book Hub provides specifications, reviews the file, adds the clickable link, and publishes it inside the guide.
Same shared promotion. Different level of presence. Paid placements purchase additional space and engagement opportunities inside the Gift Guide; they are not required contributions toward another author’s complimentary listing.
Optional shared advertising support is separate. Authors may contribute any amount toward promotion of the Gift Guide as a whole. Contributions never affect placement confirmation or event selection.
Know which option fits your book?
You can select the placement you’re leaning toward now. Nothing is finalized or paid until your participation is confirmed.Mark Your Calendar
Four Dates to Know
The short version is right here. Tap any date for additional details and calendar options.
SEPT30 First StepParticipation Interest DeadlineSubmit the interest form by September 30.
Request your Gift Guide placement and let me know whether you would like to be considered for the optional free eBook event or Holiday Book Giveaway.
Your finished advertisement, landing page, and promotional materials are not due with the interest form.
OCT14 Early ReleaseThe Gift Guide Goes LiveBegin sharing the guide with your readers and fall-event shoppers.
The first edition will be published in time for fall book fairs, markets, school events, signings, and early holiday shopping. Participating authors will receive the live guide link and coordinated promotional materials to begin sharing.
NOV04 Promotional KickoffThe Holiday Campaign BeginsThe main Gift Guide push and optional November events begin.
Kids Book Hub begins the coordinated holiday push, including email and social promotion, paid advertising, the curated free eBook event, and the opening of the Holiday Book Giveaway.
Up to 25 authors will be selected for each optional November event.
NOV17–18 Giveaway Wrap-UpEntries Close & Winner AnnouncedEntries close November 17; the winner is selected November 18.
Holiday Book Giveaway entries close at 11:59 p.m. ET on November 17. One winner will be selected and announced on November 18. Selected giveaway authors will receive the information needed to mail their contributed physical book directly to the winner.
One Permanent Link for the Entire Season
freekidsbookhub.com/gift-guide Every post, email, QR code, and printed handout will lead families to the same guide. Seasonal reminders and featured collections will give readers fresh reasons to return throughout the holidays.The Power of Collective Participation Expand Your Holiday Reach Kids Book Hub brings a growing audience. Participating authors bring trusted reader communities. Together, we create more ways for families to find the guide. 2,500+ audience connections built in under four months See how the momentum grows
A Growing Foundation
Kids Book Hub began with no established email or social audience and built more than 2,500 connections in less than four months. If that momentum continues, the community may be significantly larger by the heart of the holiday season—before counting the audiences participating authors bring.
One Guide. Multiple Paths for Discovery.
How Families Will Find Their Way In
Kids Book Hub
Email subscribers, Instagram and TikTok followers, website visitors, and the growing giveaway community.
Author Communities
Each participating author introduces the guide to readers, customers, friends, families, and local supporters.
Fall Events
Book tables, markets, school events, signings, postcards, QR codes, newsletters, and social sharing.
Holiday Promotion
Seasonal emails, featured collections, free eBooks, the Holiday Book Giveaway, social media, and paid advertising.
Small efforts add up
The strongest reach comes from all of us sharing one destination.
No author has to reach thousands of people alone. When many authors each introduce a few interested readers to the same beautiful guide, every participating book gains another opportunity to be discovered.These numbers illustrate collective potential, not guaranteed results or unique individual shoppers. Some readers may connect with Kids Book Hub through more than one channel.
For Larger Paid Placements Planning a Half- or Full-Page Advertisement? These placements provide more space and creative freedom—but the author supplies the completed advertisement. Half Page$45 Full Page$75 ! Placement fees include space, link setup, publication, and shared promotion. Advertisement design is not included. Review the larger-ad details
A Strong Fit
Choose a larger ad if you can...
- Plan a clear promotionFeature a series, bundle, gift set, signed-book offer, or larger campaign.
- Create the finished graphicDesign the ad yourself or hire someone who can provide a polished layout.
- Provide quality imagesUse high-resolution covers, product photos, illustrations, and logos you have permission to use.
- Finalize and proofreadConfirm all copy, pricing, dates, shipping details, and promotional terms.
- Give readers one clear next stepProvide one working destination link and a clear call to action.
Consider a Smaller Placement
A larger ad may not be the best fit if...
- You expect Kids Book Hub to design itCustom design assistance is not included in the half- or full-page fee.
- You only need to feature one bookA complimentary or quarter-page feature may communicate one book more effectively.
- You do not have usable graphicsBlurry covers, screenshots, and low-resolution social images may not reproduce clearly.
- You are not comfortable arranging the layoutThe author organizes all text, images, pricing, and offer details.
- You do not yet have a promotional conceptAdditional space is most useful when you have something larger to showcase.
Division of Responsibilities
Who Handles What?
Creates the Advertisement
- Develops the promotional concept
- Creates or commissions the finished design
- Provides final images and written copy
- Confirms pricing, shipping, and offer details
- Proofreads and completes requested revisions
Publishes the Advertisement
- Provides final size and file specifications
- Reviews the file for compatibility and readability
- Requests corrections when necessary
- Adds the advertisement and clickable link
- Includes the guide in shared promotion
After Your Placement Is Confirmed
Four Simple Steps
- 01Receive SpecificationsDimensions, file format, resolution, and submission instructions.
- 02Create Your AdvertisementFinalize the offer, graphics, copy, and destination link.
- 03Submit for ReviewKids Book Hub checks compatibility, quality, and readability.
- 04Approve & PublishComplete any corrections and review the final placement.
Not sure you need this much space? The quarter-page feature gives you more room to engage readers while Kids Book Hub still creates the layout.
Questions Before You Submit?
Frequently Asked Questions
Choose the topic that matters most to you, then open only the questions you need.Getting Started
Participation & Eligibility
Who is eligible to participate?
Participation in the 2026 Kids Book Hub Holiday Gift Guide is currently invitation only. Invitations are being extended to children’s authors and publishers whose illustrated picture books and storybooks are a good fit for the Kids Book Hub audience, generally families with children around ages 4–8.
Does my book need to have a Christmas or holiday theme?
No. The guide helps families find books to give during the holiday season, but featured books do not need to contain Christmas or holiday content. Evergreen picture books, storybooks, educational titles, and other giftable reads may all be appropriate.
Can I really participate for free?
Yes. Every invited author may request one complimentary 1/6-page listing. Paid placements are available for authors who want more space and more opportunity to engage browsing families, but purchasing an upgrade is not required.
The complimentary listing helps your book appear in the guide. A paid placement gives you more room to build a connection, present an offer, or feature additional products.
Do I need to offer a discount or special promotion?
No. Your book may be featured at its regular retail price. A special offer or added-value resource can give shoppers another reason to engage, but it is completely optional.
Possible ideas include a signed copy, eBook discount, series bundle, printable activity, discussion guide, gift set, personalized bookplate, or newsletter freebie.
Can I feature more than one book?
Yes, but each invited author is limited to one complimentary listing. Authors who want to feature multiple books should select a placement with enough room to present them clearly.
A boxed set may fit in a quarter-page feature. Two or three titles, a series, or a bundle may be better suited to a half page. Authors with a larger collection may use a full page as a miniature holiday storefront.
Does expressing interest guarantee selection for the November events?
No. The November 4 free eBook event and physical-book giveaway are optional, curated opportunities limited to no more than 25 authors each. Expressing interest lets Kids Book Hub know you would like to be considered but does not guarantee selection.
Gift Guide participation does not require participation in either November event.
May I recommend another author for an invitation?
Yes. Because this is a curated, invitation-only event, please do not forward the participation form directly. Instead, email the author’s name and a link to their book or website to freekidsbookhub@gmail.com.
Recommendations are welcome, but an invitation is not guaranteed.
Choosing an Option
Placements, Pricing & Payment
What do paid placements and promotional contributions support?
Paid placement fees purchase something tangible for the participating author: additional space and greater opportunity to engage readers inside the Gift Guide. Depending on the tier, that may include a larger KBH-designed feature or space for an author-designed advertisement, along with link setup, publication, and inclusion in the shared promotion.
Paid placements are not required contributions toward another author’s complimentary listing. Optional promotional contributions are separate and will be combined to support advertising for the guide as a whole. They do not purchase preferential treatment for an individual author.
Can I contribute toward promotion while choosing the free listing?
Yes. Authors selecting any placement—including the complimentary listing—may contribute any amount toward shared Gift Guide promotion. Contribution details will be included in the follow-up email after your interest form is reviewed.
Contributing is completely optional and does not affect placement confirmation, promotional materials, or selection for either November event.
Can I design and submit my own advertisement?
Half-page and full-page participants are responsible for creating and submitting their own polished, finished advertisements. Kids Book Hub will provide the required dimensions, resolution, and file specifications after the placement is confirmed.
Complimentary and quarter-page features use coordinated Kids Book Hub layouts. Custom ad design is not included with any placement fee.
When is payment due for a paid placement?
No payment is collected with the interest form. After your response is reviewed, Kids Book Hub will confirm whether the requested paid placement is available and send payment instructions by email.
Payment is due after placement confirmation. Optional promotional contributions may be sent after you receive that confirmation email.
Creative Expectations
Design, Review & AI
How will Kids Book Hub keep the Gift Guide visually cohesive?
Complimentary and quarter-page features will use coordinated Kids Book Hub layouts with consistent typography, spacing, colors, and shopping information.
Author-designed half-page and full-page advertisements may reflect each author’s branding while still meeting the guide’s readability, technical, and family-friendly standards.
Will AI-assisted tools be used to create the Gift Guide?
AI-assisted tools may support copy editing, layout planning, visual organization, decorative background elements, and other general design tasks.
They will not be used to redraw, regenerate, or materially alter an author’s submitted book cover, characters, illustrations, photography, logo, or other original artwork without the creator’s permission.
Will my artwork, cover, or characters be altered?
No. Submitted book covers, illustrations, characters, photographs, logos, and other creative assets will not be redrawn, regenerated, or materially altered without permission.
Images may be resized, positioned, or cropped when necessary to fit the selected layout, but the work itself will remain recognizable and faithful to the submitted material.
Will I be able to review my feature before publication?
Authors purchasing a paid placement will have an opportunity to review the factual details of their completed feature before publication. Author-designed advertisements will also be checked for basic image quality, readability, working links, and compatibility with the guide.
Complimentary listings use a standardized Kids Book Hub template and will be carefully checked for accuracy. Kids Book Hub will contact the author if clarification is needed.
After You Express Interest
Promotion, Readers & Next Steps
How will reader email addresses be collected and used?
Readers will be invited to join the Kids Book Hub email community through clearly labeled signup opportunities. An email address will not be required to browse the Gift Guide or access participating free eBooks. The Holiday Book Giveaway will collect the information needed to administer entries and contact the winner.
When readers choose to join the KBH email community, they may receive event updates, curated book recommendations, Gift Guide reminders, giveaways, and future reading opportunities. Ongoing emails will include an unsubscribe option.
Will participating authors receive the Kids Book Hub email list?
No. Readers are subscribing to Kids Book Hub and expect to hear from one recognizable source. Email addresses will be managed by Kids Book Hub and will not be sold, rented, or distributed to participating authors.
Authors benefit through KBH-curated messages that feature the guide, participating books, special offers, and collaborative events. Individual placements may also direct interested readers to an author’s own website or newsletter signup page.
When will the Holiday Gift Guide be published?
The first edition is planned for October 14, 2026. The main holiday promotional push begins November 4. Holiday Book Giveaway entries close November 17, and the winner will be announced November 18.
The guide will remain at freekidsbookhub.com/gift-guide throughout the season. Every social post, email, QR code, and printed handout can point readers to that same permanent link.
How will participating authors help promote the guide?
Participating authors are encouraged to share the live guide through social media, newsletters, websites, reader groups, personal networks, and local events.
Kids Book Hub will provide coordinated promotional materials, including useful graphics, suggested wording, printable options, and the permanent guide link. Each author’s manageable effort helps introduce new readers to one shared destination.
What happens after I complete the participation form?
Kids Book Hub will personally review your response and contact you with your placement status, payment details when applicable, and the next information or materials needed for your feature.
The interest form is not your final advertisement submission. You do not need a completed promotion, landing page, or finished ad before expressing interest.
How soon will I know whether my placement is approved?
Please allow approximately four to five business days for a response. Timing may vary slightly depending on the number of interest forms received.
Kids Book Hub is managed by Jeanette, a work-from-home mom who completes much of this work after her son is asleep. Every submission will be reviewed personally and thoughtfully.
What if I have additional questions?
Email Jeanette at freekidsbookhub@gmail.com.
A live author Q&A will also be held on Thursday, September 17 at 7:00 p.m. ET. The session will be recorded for invited authors who cannot attend live. Access details will be shared by email.
Let’s Help Families Find Their Next Favorite Book
Complete the interest form by September 30, or return to the placement options for one last comparison.